Published a fortnight before the Battle of Waterloo, the drawing presents three themes: that England (John Bull) can't survive the taxes necessary to go to war again, that the Regent (Prince of Wales, later George IV) is more worried about his appearance and social life than about war, and that Louis XVIII (old, dissolute) is no asset to the cause.

In the foreground, we see preparations for the funeral pyre of John Bull, who stands by in chains. The cloth over his back refers to the crushing burden of taxes levied to fight the Napoleonic Wars. The Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Tory party, Vansittart, stands on a large tub ready to attack the bull with "New War Taxes." Facing the pyre is the prime minister, the Earl of Liverpool, dressed as a butcher and in the midst of sharpening a big knife.

George IV, regent for his mad father, appears in the lefthand corner, being measured by his tailor and attended by his barber and valet. He sees the impending war as an excuse for a party, and asks for cooks and servents and lascivious mistresses.

Napoleon is shown across the English Channel standing on a cliff, about to "Let loose the Dogs of war!"

Louis XVIII rides up on a decrepit looking horse, followed by two aging soldiers carrying his medicine bottles. His comments make it clear he will sit out the fight.